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OWNER makemann

You can still get away with applying the Leatherique, even if it isn't 80-90F outside. The seats will still benefit from the Leatherique even if the temps are modest.

I know some folks (like the @gsxr) have been happy with the seat leather for the E500E from GAT (German Auto Tops), which seems to provide pretty good bang for the buck. There is some info about them & photos of their seats here on the forum.

Personally, I am more of a fan of GAHH, in Southern California. I have had their seat covers for my former R107 560SL, and have had the drivers's seat in my 560SEC since 2002. Both have been good. GAHH is going to be more expensive than GAT, but as with much in this world .... IMHO one gets what they pay for.

I recommend having a professional re-upholster the seats, if possible. You can do it yourself, but like with doing a headliner, it's one of those jobs that a professional (perhaps under your supervision or instructions) can do better.
 
gerryvz said:
As reference for others who may be replacing their hood pads in the future, here are the options for the 500E / E500:

Factory hood pad (with foil square): MB part number 124 680 00 25 (current list $129; discounted ~$95)
(AutohauZ is claiming an "OEM" hood pad here with foil for $35)

Aftermarket hood pad (much closer to OE E500E hood pad): GK Hood Insulation Pad ($43.99 at AutohauZ)

RM Yurropean and FCP Yurro also have the aftermarket hood pads and GK Hood pads. Evidently GK is a factory OEM for the pads.
Click to expand...
I bought the pad from AutohauZ and replaced my old pad this afternoon. I used the 3M Super Yellow Trim Adhesive successfully.

The old pad came off without a struggle.
IMG_8902.JPG
I was concerned with adhesive overspray, so I used blue painter's tape on the exposed edges of the hood and covered the engine bay, fenders and windshield with the canvas tarp. Since I only had myself to install it, and only one chance to get it seated correctly, I rehearsed the installation about four times.

After spraying both the inside of the hood the backside of the new pad, I waited a few minutes for both to get tacky and carefully executed my rehearsed moves--worked perfectly!
IMG_8903.JPG
 
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Good on you for using the 3M yellow trim adhesive and the non-foil pad. You can get pretty stoned on that 3M yellow glue !!!
 
gerryvz said:
You mean, you were able to leave your house in Michigan this summer, and actually go OUT to a restaurant?
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The city closed Main Street to vehicles and allowed all the restaurants to have dining al fresco. Not sure how the restaurants are going to do once the cold weather rolls in.
 
That's cool and good to hear! I thought that everyone in the entire state was cooped up indefinitely except the governor and her husband to go boating. ;)

We have the same thing here -- restaurants have extended their dining rooms outdoors; some have closed the indoor dining, other restaurants have indoor and outdoor on the sidewalks. Will be interesting indeed when the cold weather rolls in. Expecting some changes in the next couple or three weeks.
 
Well, it's been a few years since I've given an update on my Pearl Grey beauty. I've put all of 342 miles on it in nearly five years.

After I put it in storage in 2020, I didn't drive it until 2023. I replaced the battery August 30, 2023.

Oil change, brake system flush, and replaced fuel line from pump to tank on July 23, 2024. Mileage 170,661.

Took it out of storage this past Friday, May 17. Mileage 170,757.

Wow, now I remember why I bought it ten years ago! Still puts a smile on my face. Hope you're all doing well!
 
Before I put it in storage for the winter, I had the following done at ~171,250 miles:
  • Replaced drive belt
  • Replaced front lower ball joints
  • Replaced front shocks and upper shock mounts
  • Replaced steering drag link
  • Replaced power steering reservoir gasket
  • Replaced worn shifter bushings
  • Replaced passenger sunvisor lamp
  • Four wheel alignment
  • Replaced broken suspension stabilizer bar bracket
Items remaining to do next summer:
  • Replace valve cover gaskets and clean residue from slight leak
  • Troubleshoot blower motor - only works on lowest setting
  • Repair/Replace exhaust
  • Replace starter harness
  • Replace tires (nine years old)
 
Nice work prior to winter hibernation! :gor-gor:

makemann said:
Troubleshoot blower motor - only works on lowest setting
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This is PROBABLY a failed regulator, if you only have low speed, and when selecting high speed there is either no change in speed, or only a slight increase. Search the forum for a HOW-TO on pre-facelift cars. I think the OE regulator may be NLA.


makemann said:
Repair/Replace exhaust
Click to expand...
What's up with your exhaust? Every OE component is NLA which will make proper repairs a challenge.


makemann said:
Replace starter harness
Click to expand...
There's a good HOW-TO on this also. :cheers1:


makemann said:
Replace tires (nine years old)
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Depending on your intended usage, if the tires have been in service less than 10 years and are otherwise visually OK... they might be serviceable for a while longer. Article linked below is excellent reading, as are all of Barry's posts (credit to @Jlaa for finding his website!)

In particular, note that the age / clock begins when the tire was installed. Not when the tire was manufactured. This may vary by several years!

"The clock starts when the tires are applied. If you don’t know when that was, use the production date of the tire and adjust accordingly. You can find the date of production by looking at the DOT code."​

Tire Aging and Weather Cracking – Barry's Tire Tech

Barry talks about tire aging and weather cracking, its causes, and time limits for tires.
barrystiretech.com barrystiretech.com

:burnout:
 
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makemann said:
Before I put it in storage for the winter, I had the following done at ~171,250 miles:
  • Replaced drive belt
  • Replaced front lower ball joints
  • Replaced front shocks and upper shock mounts
  • Replaced steering drag link
  • Replaced power steering reservoir gasket
  • Replaced worn shifter bushings
  • Replaced passenger sunvisor lamp
  • Four wheel alignment
  • Replaced broken suspension stabilizer bar bracket
Items remaining to do next summer:
  • Replace valve cover gaskets and clean residue from slight leak
  • Troubleshoot blower motor - only works on lowest setting
  • Repair/Replace exhaust
  • Replace starter harness
  • Replace tires (nine years old)
Click to expand...
Very nice. Be sure to buy the correct valve cover gaskets. There was a thread here on the board a few weeks ago that mentioned rev parts would supersede the valve cover gasket part numbers to something else incorrectly. See here - OWNER - ArauzMotoring | Owners and Their Cars
 
gsxr said:
This is PROBABLY a failed regulator, if you only have low speed, and when selecting high speed there is either no change in speed, or only a slight increase. Search the forum for a HOW-TO on pre-facelift cars. I think the OE regulator may be NLA.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I actually wrote the HOW-TO for replacing the regulator in 2017. Unfortunately, the OEM replacement part was not available, so I went with the inexpensive KAE part. I would have thought the part would last longer than 8 years! That was a pain to replace too!

gsxr said:
What's up with your exhaust? Every OE component is NLA which will make proper repairs a challenge.
Click to expand...
The previous owner installed a Lorinser exhaust and it's developed a small leak. My shop said they can repair it with a little welding work.

gsxr said:
Depending on your intended usage, if the tires have been in service less than 10 years and are otherwise visually OK... they might be serviceable for a while longer. Article linked below is excellent reading, as are all of Barry's posts (credit to @Jlaa for finding his website!)

In particular, note that the age / clock begins when the tire was installed. Not when the tire was manufactured. This may vary by several years!

"The clock starts when the tires are applied. If you don’t know when that was, use the production date of the tire and adjust accordingly. You can find the date of production by looking at the DOT code."

Tire Aging and Weather Cracking – Barry's Tire Tech

Barry talks about tire aging and weather cracking, its causes, and time limits for tires.
barrystiretech.com barrystiretech.com
Click to expand...
That's a great article @Jlaa ! My Michelin Pilot Sports have ~24,000 miles on them and have acceptable cracks in the sidewall. Based on that article, they should be fine for another summer of light driving.
 
makemann said:
Thanks! I actually wrote the HOW-TO for replacing the regulator in 2017. Unfortunately, the OEM replacement part was not available, so I went with the inexpensive KAE part. I would have thought the part would last longer than 8 years! That was a pain to replace too!
Click to expand...
Yeah! I used that article you wrote … several times …. Most recently to replace @RicardoD ’s regulator in his car …. which he eventually sold to @Teddy_West !
 
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